Vasectomy

What is it?

A vasectomy is a permanent method of contraception. Once a man has had the procedure, he will not be able to get a woman pregnant.

How does it work?

A vasectomy involves cutting, blocking or sealing the vas deferens tubes. This prevents sperm from travelling from the testicles to the penis.

This is done under local anaesthetic, takes about 15 minutes, and does not require a stay in hospital.

How effective is it?

Having a vasectomy is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Advantages of a vasectomy:

Having a vasectomy is designed to be permanent, so you won’t need to think about contraception again after this procedure.

Disadvantages of a vasectomy:

It is not 100% effective - in a very small number of cases the vas deferens may rejoin, meaning the man becomes fertile again.

It is not easily reversed, so it is important to be absolutely certain that having a vasectomy is right for you.

Things to bear in mind:

Having a vasectomy is a big decision to make, and your doctor or nurse will probably recommend you think things through carefully (or have counselling) before going ahead, so that you can fully explore all the issues. It is not usually offered to young men who have not had any children.

Vasectomies are not immediately effective because there can still be some sperm left in the tubes leading to the penis. For this reason it is important to use contraception until you are tested to check if any sperm is still present. You can only be certain the vasectomy has been successful when you've had a negative sperm test.